Fighters prove gold winners

Fighters from Newark Martial Arts Kickboxing Club claimed four golds against the best in the world at the International Martial Arts Games in Bangkok, Thailand.

The tournament showcased six types of martial arts and attracted fighters from 41 countries, who competed in front of about 5,000 spectators.

The youngest fighter for Newark, Danny Swanwick (12) was first up.

After initially losing the semi-final against a tough fighter from Palestine, he won the rematch and, in the final, faced an older competitor from the GB squad — Jordan Dent (14) of Cleveland.

Swanwick fought tremendously with grit, skill and determination to secure the first gold for Newark.

Swanwick’s father, Phil, was in Thailand as a volunteer coach. The Newark team also included kickboxing champion Dean Sugden, who was a coach for the GB team and whose two sons were taking part.

In the 12 to 15 years of the under 51kg section, Regis Sugden (12) sailed through to the final, where he faced another GB fighter, Taylor Hunt.

Despite giving away considerable height, Sugden was relentless and went to work with blisteringly fast hands and constant pressure to clinch another gold for Newark.

His brother, Chad Sugden (14) was up against the only other junior to beat him during 30 contests as a kickboxer.

Chad, who was 13 at the time, had prepared for full contact knowing that fate would bring together him and his closest rival in his age and weight class, Patrick Lee of Wales, who had two wins to his name against the Newark fighter.

Sugden lived up to his nickname “2 slick” as he went about his work in clinical fashion.

All the techniques and ring craft were required to dominate such a great opponent and this is what he did.

When it came to the physical contest, Sugden matched him and gave more for good measure as he dominated every round to secure the third gold for Newark.

Next up for Newark Martial Arts was the much improved Lewis Fallon (16) competing in the final of the cadet category, 16 to 18 years.

His task was made harder when he was asked to compete in a heavier weight class but he truly delivered.

Fallon commanded the action but mostly on his back foot, as his opponent was physically bigger. Fallon went to work and caught his opponent with several kicks to the head and used his jab to good effect.

Fallon was declared the unanimous winner to take another gold for Newark.

The victory was even sweeter as his opponent in the final defeated a European champion in the semi-final.

Jade Grierson (16) unfortunately did not get the chance to compete. She weighed in at a heavier weight category but no fighters were registered to fight in this heavier section.

As a result of the team’s success they have been invitated to compete in the Ukraine, the Philippines and New Zealand.